Yasin Wasswa converted a last minute long range penalty from the halfway line as Jinja Hippos edged a resilient Rhinos team 25-23 in a thrilling Rugby Championship encounter on Saturday, at the Dam Waters Grounds in Jinja.
The first half had end to end action and was run by the good boot of Hippos’ Wasswa and the tactiful command of Rhino’s scrum half Ivan Kirabo.
Wasswa put the Hippos ahead early with a penalty, but Rhinos responded quickly through Kirabo who reminded the home fans that he wasnt in Jinja for a tour.
Wasswa, who was having a very good day in his backyard, added two penalties to put the game at 9-3. The Rhinos responded through a try and conversion by Kirabo, but the Hippos regained the lead with another Wasswa penalty. The first half ended 12-10 to the Hippos with palpable tension around the grounds.
Second Half Drama
Upon return for the second half, the tactiful minds in the Hippos dugout had to think hard as they were forced to visit their bench due to injuries to centres Owen Mugogo and Silver Kenyi.
The Jinja based side who had failed to make a try in the first half for the first time this season gave their fans a reason to smile as their top boy Andrew Odhiambo forced his way to the try line. Wasswa added the extras, putting the game at 19-10.
The Rhinos fought back and picked three points off Kirabo’s boot to brin the game to 19-13 before Wasswa reminded the faithful that he was the big Hippo to dehorn the Rhinos with a good kick on the far wide to make it 22-13.
The visitors were not done and reduced the deficit through a converted try and a penalty from Kirabo, before Garvin Mutala’s brilliant drop kick put them ahead 23-22 with eight minutes to go.
However, Wasswa had the final say as his long-range kick that split the uprights in the dying moments secured a vital win for the Hippos. The result sets up a potential rematch in the quarter-finals of the Rugby Championship.
Next Fixtures
The Jinja Hippos travel to Entebbe to face Plascon Mongers at Busambaga Grounds, while the Rhinos head to Kitante for a match against Kampani Eagles.
Elsewhere, Toyota Buffaloes take on the unbeaten Platinum Credit Heathens, Pirates host Impis, Warriors visit Rams, and the Walukuba Barbarians face Kampala Old Boys. Walukuba hope to deliver another upset after a commanding 13-3 win against the Buffaloes.
Courtesy Photos